Last winter we had 2 male blackcaps and at least 1 femail. They were a fascinating as one male would not let any of the other small birds near the feeders, but never challenged birds much bigger than itself. The other male was far less agressive and the female very shy. They all arrived at the end of January but were gone just as suddenly by the end of March. This year we have not seen one. Is it to do with the much milder winter?
Hi Morri,
I've just had my very first blackcap today - a female. One or two other forumites have also reported seeing them today. It's amazing what a bit of snow does!
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
morriThis year we have not seen one. Is it to do with the much milder winter?
I suspect it is, morri. I had two in the garden last winter but no sign this year. However, other forum members are reporting them in their gardens so the cold snap may be bringing them in. I live in hope so don't give up they may still come.
Regards TJ
My Flickr photostream
A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. (Chinese proverb)
Last winter we had 2 males and 1 female Blackcap in the garden. They were fascinating to watch, as one male was very agressive and wouldn't allow any of the other small birds near the feeders, but never challenged a bird larger than itself! The other male minded its own business and the female was quite shy. They all arrived suddenly at the end of January and were gone as quickly by the end of March. This year we have not seen one. Is it because of the milder winter this year?
Hi morri you have had replies in your first post..look here www.rspb.org.uk/.../428758.aspx
Regards Alan
My photos are here and here
there is a female visiting my garden each day, this is the first winter i have seen her. however she is quite aggressive and chases all the other birds away from the feeders
Your Blackcaps sound just like mine! I've only seen them at the feeders in the last week (as you say agrssive to all others as long as they are not too big). But I have seen them in december and january eating misletoe berries. A few days ago I had a longish wait in a car park and passed the time looking at a short stretch of overgrown hedge (wondering how it had survived a municiple 'tidying') I noticed a berried ivy quivering - eating the berries were a Blackbird, Songthrush and a Male Blackcap. I expected the Blacbird to see off the others but they all ate happily together.
If it's a fairly mild winter, they are happy to stay on mainland Europe, although there are some that spend the whole year here, and in mild winters they can find plenty of natural food without having to come into gardens and onto feeders. So I imagine that this blast of snow is what has pushed them into people's gardens a bit more.
2 more lifers since being up in Orkney: Iceland Gull and Great Northern Diver!
Most recent lifer: White-billed Diver!
We have had odd glimpses since December, but like everyone else is saying, over the last week we seem to be having both males and females regularly visiting the garden and feeding on suet balls. Lovely birds to see.